Jaishankar congratulates Anita Orban as Hungary's new Deputy PM, Foreign Minister
Synopsis
India moved quickly to engage Hungary's new leadership — EAM Jaishankar personally congratulated Anita Orban as Deputy PM and Foreign Minister just two days after her swearing-in, following PM Modi's congratulations to Peter Magyar after the Tisza Party's landslide win. The back-to-back outreach signals that New Delhi sees the political shift in Budapest as an opportunity, not a disruption, for the India-EU strategic agenda.
Key Takeaways
Jaishankar congratulated Anita Orban on her appointment as Hungary's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister on 15 May 2025 .
Anita Orban , a lawyer and diplomat born in July 1974 , was sworn into office on 13 May 2025 .
Peter Magyar became Hungary's Prime Minister on 9 May 2025 after the Tisza Party won 141 of 199 seats in the 12 April 2025 elections.
PM Modi had already congratulated Magyar on 13 April 2025 , the day after the polls.
India is using both contacts to advance the India-EU Strategic Partnership .
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Friday, 15 May 2025, extended congratulations to Anita Orban on her appointment as Hungary's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, signalling India's intent to deepen bilateral ties with the newly formed government in Budapest. The outreach marks one of India's first diplomatic engagements with Hungary's reshuffled leadership following a landmark political transition.
Jaishankar's Message to Anita Orban
In a post on social media platform X, Jaishankar wrote: 'Look forward to working together to strengthen the India-Hungary relationship, and the India-European Union strategic partnership.' The brief but pointed message underscores New Delhi's priority of sustaining momentum in its India-EU Strategic Partnership even as key European capitals undergo leadership changes.
Who Is Anita Orban
Anita Orban, born in July 1974, is a Hungarian lawyer, diplomat, and politician. She was sworn in as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Hungary on 13 May 2025. In her own post on X, she outlined her priorities: 'My mission is clear: to represent the interests of the Hungarian people with determination, dignity, and clarity on every international stage. I look forward to working closely with our partners while strengthening Hungary's voice across Europe and beyond.'
Hungary's Political Shift and New Government
Peter Magyar was sworn in as Hungary's Prime Minister on 9 May 2025, following a parliamentary vote at the inaugural session of the new National Assembly, pledging to 'change the system.' His rise followed a decisive outcome in the parliamentary elections held on 12 April 2025, in which the Tisza Party, led by Magyar, defeated the ruling Fidesz-KDNP coalition of Viktor Orban, winning 141 of the 199 seats and securing a two-thirds majority.
India's Early Engagement with the New Budapest Government
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had moved swiftly after the election result, congratulating Peter Magyar and the Tisza Party on 13 April 2025 — the day after the polls — on their 'resounding election victory.' Modi had written on X: 'India and Hungary are bound by deep-rooted friendship, shared values, and enduring mutual respect. I look forward to working closely with you to further strengthen our bilateral cooperation and to advance the vital India-European Union Strategic Partnership for the shared prosperity and well-being of our peoples.'
Jaishankar's congratulatory message to Anita Orban follows in the same vein, reinforcing that New Delhi is engaging the new Hungarian administration at multiple levels. This comes amid India's broader effort to consolidate its EU strategic partnership ahead of scheduled bilateral summits later in 2025.
Point of View
Then Jaishankar to Anita Orban — is deliberate sequencing, not courtesy. The Tisza Party's two-thirds majority represents the most significant political realignment in Hungary in over a decade, and New Delhi is signalling it will not allow the transition to create friction in an already underperforming bilateral relationship. The real question is whether the new Budapest government, preoccupied with domestic restructuring, will have the bandwidth to elevate the India-Hungary channel — or whether New Delhi's enthusiasm will find little reciprocal energy in the near term.
NationPress
8 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did EAM Jaishankar congratulate Anita Orban?
Jaishankar congratulated Anita Orban on her appointment as Hungary's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, a role she assumed on 13 May 2025. The message expressed India's intent to strengthen bilateral ties and the India-EU Strategic Partnership under the new Hungarian government.
How did Hungary's new government come to power?
The Tisza Party, led by Peter Magyar, won 141 of 199 seats in Hungary's parliamentary elections on 12 April 2025, defeating the ruling Fidesz-KDNP coalition of Viktor Orban with a two-thirds majority. Magyar was sworn in as Prime Minister on 9 May 2025.
What is India's relationship with Hungary?
India and Hungary share diplomatic ties anchored in the broader India-EU Strategic Partnership. PM Modi congratulated Peter Magyar on 13 April 2025, and EAM Jaishankar's message to Anita Orban reflects New Delhi's effort to engage the new Hungarian leadership at multiple levels.
What did PM Modi say about Hungary's election result?
PM Modi congratulated Peter Magyar and the Tisza Party on 13 April 2025, calling it a 'resounding election victory' and expressing hope to advance bilateral cooperation and the India-EU Strategic Partnership for shared prosperity.
